劍閣聞鈴: The Bells of Jiange

The Bells of Jiange	劍閣聞鈴
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The grass grows green under the Mawei Slope, and even today the concubine's mausoleum remains.	馬嵬坡下草青青 今日猶存妃子陵
On the walls poems are written of their regret, and inside the shrines all visitors are overcome with sorrow.	題壁有詩皆抱恨 入祠無客不傷情
As you made the ten thousand mile trip westward, why do you sigh at hearing the bells during a rainy night?	萬里西巡君請去 何勞雨夜歎聞鈴
The spirit of Yang Guifei dissipated under the pear blossom tree, while Chen Xuanli (Note 1) led the troops defending the Emperor onwards.	楊貴妃 梨花樹下香魂散 陳元禮 帶領著軍卒保駕行
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Alas! The monarch traveled in infinite regret and loneliness, with his heart dazed as though drunk and tears welling out like a knocked over jug.	歎君王 萬種淒涼 千般寂寞 一心似醉 兩淚如傾
For the first time he saw the sorrowful moon and stars about to be swept away by dawn, but the lengthy road with its twist and turns is impossible to get used to.	愁漠漠 殘月曉星初領略 路迢迢 涉水登山哪慣經
With difficulty he endured his way to base camp to rest his tired body, only to be battered by cold rain and sorrowful wind to exacerbate his pitifulness.	好容易 盼到行宮歇歇倦體 偏遇著 冷雨淒風助慘情
Inside Jiange there is a Tang Emperor so drenched in sorrow that he can't sleep, thus he heard the endless clanking outside of his window.	劍閣中 有懷不寐唐天子 聽窗外 不住的叮噹連連地作響聲
He asked in a hurry, "What is making that noise outside?" Gao Lishi reported, "The raindrops in the forest and the bells below the roof."	忙問道 外面的聲音卻是何物也 高力士奏 林中雨點和簷下金鈴
This monarch heard this and sighed repeatedly, "This is a heartbroken man hearing the sound of heartbreak."	這君王一聞此言 長籲短歎啊 說正是 斷腸人聽斷腸聲
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"It's these accursed bells ringing and this accused rain, cursing this unbreakable longing, and unbreakable bond.	似這般 不作美的鈴聲 不作美的雨呀 怎當我 割不斷的相思 割不斷的情
The raindrops knocking on the window also batters at our heart, the rolling logs prevents us from going into our dream.	灑窗櫺 點點敲人心欲碎 搖落木 聲聲使我夢難成
The ringing dispels the spirits wandering in front of our porch, as frigid wind chilled us to the bone from under the covers.	噹啷啷 驚魂響自簷前起 冰涼涼 徹骨寒從被底生
The lamp casts a lonely shadow before us, as no one remains to speak to us until the break of day.	孤燈兒 照我人單影 雨夜 同誰話五更
Even in the ancient days the Goddess of Mount Wu entered the King Xiang of Chu's heart (Note 2), how can our dreams remain void without a trace of you?	從古來 巫山曾入襄王夢 我何以 欲夢卿時夢不成
Is it because your bowed shoes wishes not to step into the witching hour's moon, or is it because your sleeves cannot defend against the midnight wind?	莫不是 弓鞋懶踏三更月 莫不是 衫袖難禁午夜風
Is it because this inn's too broken down for your tastes, or is it because the troops rushing that frighten your soul?	莫不是 旅館蕭條卿嫌悶 莫不是 兵馬奔馳心怕驚
Is it because there's still resentment within your fragrant heart? Is it because our cheating heart doesn't have the necessary piety?	莫不是 芳卿心內懷餘恨 莫不是 薄幸心中少至誠
If not, then why like the divine Goddess do you not leave the beaches of the Luo River? (Note 3) Even as we exhausted our tears and broke our soul waiting?"	既不然 神女因何不離洛浦 空教我 流幹了眼淚望斷了魂靈
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"As one of us lie within the cold pillow and frigid blanket inside a red bedchamber, the other lie within sunken pearls and shattered jade inside yellow dirt.	一個兒 枕冷衾寒臥紅羅帳裏 一個兒 珠沉玉碎埋黃土堆中
The roots entwined forcibly shattered by torrential rain to the left and right, the halfwing birds blown apart by howling wind to the east and west. (Note 4)	連理枝 暴雨摧殘分左右 比翼鳥 狂風吹散各西東
We know now that the sun and moon jewels will not reunite (Note 5) and the pearl will not return this life (Note 6), so we wish that, in the world beyond we can remain at your side.	料今生 璧合無期珠還無日 但願得 泉下追隨伴玉容
We know now that you are the goddess Chang'e returning to your palace in the moon, but if we knew this earlier, then we wouldn't have wasted this trip westward to have it terminate here.	料芳卿 自是嫦娥歸月殿 早知道 半途而廢又何必西行
We regret giving command of the army to your blasted adopted son (Note 7), We regret giving the affairs of the state to your accursed cousin. (Note 8)	悔不該 兵權錯付卿義子 悔不該 國事全憑你從兄
Thinking deeply, it's these bastards that had destroyed the country, and unfairly, it's your beauty that gets the toppling blame. (Note 9)	細思量 都是奸賊他把國誤 真冤枉 偏說妃子你傾城
Oh the soldiers, what was this resentment that drove them against you? Shamefully, We wanted to preserve your life but it wasn't to be.	眾三軍 何仇何恨和卿作對 可愧我 想保你的殘生也是不能
Alas, your fragrant soul followed the wind into the void, and our blood tears rained down in a thousand drops.	可憐你 香魂一縷隨風散 卻使我 血淚千行似雨傾
We grieved your frightened eyes, clattering teeth, shaking body and blemished face as the soldiers rushed in.	慟臨危 直瞪瞪星眸 咯吱吱的皓齒 戰兢兢玉體 慘淡淡的花容。
We looked on as we couldn't save you or take your place, we cried as we find no way to repay nor face you.	眼睜睜 既不能救你 又不能替你 悲慟慟 將何以酬卿 又何以對卿
Most sorrowful are the pearl blossoms bloom year after year, as from now on our heart breaks every time we see them. (Note 10)	最傷心 一年一度梨花放 從今後 一見梨花一慘情
Alas, my concubine, it's our fault we sacrificed you to save our old hide, and we are wrecked by new grief as we remember old regrets."	我的妃子呀 一時顧命 誣害了你 好叫我 追悔新情 憶舊情
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“We can no longer watch the entwined lotus within the Imperial Pond, we can no longer listen to the Song of Peace within the Gathered Fragrance Pavilion. (Note 11)	再不能 太液池觀蓮並蒂 再不能 沉香亭譜調清平
We can no longer view the moon on the Moon Viewing Mansion, and we can no longer wish for eternity within the Eternity Palace. (Note 12)	再不能 玩月樓頭同玩月 再不能 長生殿內祝長生
As we spoke of love into the deepest of night, you then said husband and wife in love will forever be so into reincarnation. (Note 13)	我二人 夜深私語到情濃處 你還說 恩愛的夫妻世世同
Now, even though those words remain, where have you gone? No matter how many times we think of it we are always overcome with sorrow."	到如今 言猶在耳人何處 幾度思量幾慟情
Outside the window, the bells ring intermittently as the sound of rain intensified, within the inn, the lamp is almost out as the Imperial bed iced.	窗兒外 鈴聲兒斷續雨聲更緊 房兒內 殘燈兒半滅御榻如冰
The Emperor's gut twisted and knotted as it almost shattered, the Emperor's tears flowed in a thousand directions as the myriad drops glowed red.	柔腸兒 九轉百結百結欲斷 淚珠兒 千行萬點萬點通紅
This monarch grieved to dawn without any sleep, and suddenly heard his attendants requesting him to continue his journey on.	這君王 一夜無眠 悲哀到曉 猛聽得 內宦啟奏 請駕登程

1. Chen Xuanli (陳玄禮) is written as "Chen Yuanli" (陳元禮) here due to this being a Qing-Dynasty piece and "Xuan" (玄) is avoided as part of the naming taboo of the Kangxi Emperor's personal name Xuanye (玄燁)
2. Reference to Song Yu's "Rhapsody on the Divine Goddess", also referred to in the Rhapsody of the Goddess Luo.
3. Reference to Cao Zhi's Rhapsody of the Goddess Luo.
4. Song of Everlasting Regret, penultimate couplet: "In Heaven we'll be the halfwing birds flying through the clouds, in Earth we'll be the roots forever entwined." (在天願作比翼鳥 在地願為連理枝)
5. The Sun and moon rising is sometimes referred to as a pair of jewels, and is used as a metaphor for the Emperor and Empress.
6. During the Han Dynasty the Hepu Commandery was a large producer of pearls, until overfishing caused the oyster population to migrate to the nearby Jiaozhi Commandery, and it was only later due to effective controls by the magistrate Meng Chang that the oysters returned to Hepu. This is then used metaphorically to refer to something precious returning to its rightful place.
7. An Lushan, who got into power by ingratiating himself with Concubine Yang, even asking to be her adopted son despite being sixteen years older than her.
8. Yang Guozhong, whose tactless court antics was a major cause of An's rebellion, and whose inept command was a major part of An's initial success against Tang armies. He was killed by the troops first, who then asked the Emperor to execute Concubine Yang.
9. Li Yannian, a Han Dynasty musician, sang of a woman that could topple cities and nations with her beauty.
10. Song of Everlasting Regret: "Her lonely face was still marred with tears, like a branch of pear blossoms battered by rain." (玉容寂寞淚闌干 梨花一枝春帶雨)
11. Li Bai, the Tang Dynasty poet, was once invited to write the Song of Peace (清平調) for the Emperor and Concubine Yang.
12. Song of Everlasting Regret: "On the seventh of July in the Changsheng Palace..." (七月七日長生殿)
13. Song of Everlasting Regret: "...during midnight when there would be no one around to hear our words." (夜半無人私語時)

長恨歌: Song of Everlasting Regret

Song of Everlasting Regret By: Bai Juyi	長恨歌 白居易
The Han Emperor's lust wished for someone who could topple a country, but in his many years in the palace he found no such beauty. A young woman of the Yang Clan had just matured, and she lived deep in her chamber waiting to be discovered.	漢皇重色思傾國 御宇多年求不得 楊家有女初長成 養在深閨人未識
It was impossible to ignore her immense beauty, so she was chosen to serve at His Majesty's side. Returning a smile that could launch a thousand ships, it made the six palaces of women look pale and plain.	天生麗質難自棄 一朝選在君王側 回眸一笑百媚生 六宮粉黛無顏色
On a cold spring morning, he took her to bathe with him in the Huaqing Pool, and the warm spring water decorated her ivory skin. The servant girls helped the delicate woman up, and that was where the Emperor graced her.	春寒賜浴華清池 溫泉水滑洗凝脂 侍兒扶起嬌無力 始是新承恩澤時
She wore the finest jewelry and paraded around in the morning, spending the night in the emperor's tent all through spring. The spring night was too short for their liking, and the Emperor no longer held morning court.	雲鬢花顏金步搖 芙蓉帳暖度春宵 春宵苦短日高起 從此君王不早朝
She was always with his majesty in both private and public, at night she was the only one the emperor would take. Even through there were three thousand beauties in the royal harem, she kept all the emperor's love all to herself.	承歡侍宴無閒暇 春從春遊夜專夜 後宮佳麗三千人 三千寵愛在一身
In a golden palace she accompanied His Majesty' bed, In the jade palace she feasted and reveled. Her relations all received fiefs, everyone was able to decorate their door with gold.	金屋妝成嬌侍夜 玉樓宴罷醉和春 姊妹弟兄皆列土 可憐光彩生門戶
This example spread to the parents in the world, all of whom placed daughters in front of sons. The tall Lishan Palace reached the clouds, the heavenly music spread all over the mountain.	遂令天下父母心 不重生男重生女 驪宮高處入青雲 仙樂風飄處處聞
She danced lightly to the slow music, and even after days the Emperor never had enough. War creeped from Yuyang and shook the earth, scattering the satin dance and the soft music.	緩歌慢舞凝絲竹 盡日君王看不足 漁陽鼙鼓動地來 驚破霓裳羽衣曲
Dust covered the grand imperial palace, and his majesty took her and the guards and fled to the southeast. The imperial banner moved and stopped incessantly, out of the capital's west gate at just over a hundred miles.	九重城闕煙塵生 千乘萬騎西南行 翠華搖搖行復止 西出都門百餘里
The six armies refused to march without punishing the responsible, and his majesty sacrificed the peerless beauty at the place called Mawei. Her flower hairpin dropped to the ground without anybody to pick it up, also ignored was her jadeite golden sparrow hairpin and jade hair clip.	六軍不發無奈何 宛轉蛾眉馬前死 花鈿委地無人收 翠翹金雀玉搔頭
Powerless to save her, his majesty could only cover his face. He turned back with tears of blood before he left. The dust flew as the wind blew high, through the clouds and vines they arrived at Jiange.	君王掩面救不得 回看血淚相和流 黃埃散漫風蕭索 雲棧縈紆登劍閣
There was almost no one wandering at the foot of Mt. Emei, their flags hung limp as the pale sun shone. Near the clear rivers and lush mountains of Shu, his majesty relived the sad memory of her day and night.	峨嵋山下少人行 旌旗無光日色薄 蜀江水碧蜀山青 聖主朝朝暮暮情
His majesty cried whenever his majesty saw the moon in his palace; his majesty's heart ached whenever his majesty heard the bells ringing in the night rain. When the rebellion was put down and his majesty returned to the capital, his majesty stopped at Mawei and didn't want to go further.	行宮見月傷心色 夜雨聞鈴腸斷聲 天旋日轉迴龍馭 到此躊躇不能去
Under the mud in the Mawei slope, his majesty could no longer see the spot where she had died in vain. His majesty and the subjects looked at each other with tears drenching their cloaks; they turned to the east as their horses trotted unguided.	馬嵬坡下泥土中 不見玉顏空死處 君臣相顧盡霑衣 東望都門信馬歸
In the capital, the pools and the gardens was still the same, so was the lotus in the pond and the willow in the Weiyang Palace. The lotus was like her face and the willow was like her brows; who wouldn't watch this with a tear down their cheeks?	歸來池苑皆依舊 太液芙蓉未央柳 芙蓉如面柳如眉 對此如何不淚垂
Time sped past, through spring night, when the wind blew and the blossoms bloomed, and blazed to the autumn rain, over the falling leaves of parasol trees. The west palace and the south garden were full of weeds, the leaves covered the steps red and nobody was there to sweep.	春風桃李花開夜 秋雨梧桐葉落時 西宮南苑多秋草 宮葉滿階紅不掃
The garden's caretakers' hair had grayed, the servant girls had all lost their youthful beauty. The fireflies decorated his majesty's sorrowful night; the lone lamp burned out, but his majesty still couldn't sleep.	梨園弟子白髮新 椒房阿監青娥老 夕殿螢飛思悄然 孤燈挑盡未成眠
The bells and drums tolled the dreary night, the river of stars seemed to want to retire for daybreak. The mandarin duck roofing frosted over, who could his majesty share a jade blanket with tonight?	遲遲鐘鼓初長夜 耿耿星河欲曙天 鴛鴦瓦冷霜華重 翡翠衾寒誰與共
It had been so many years since they parted, but her soul never visited his majesty's dreams. But there was said to be a Taoist from Linqiong lived in the capital, who possessed the power to summon the souls of the dead with dedication.	悠悠生死別經年 魂魄不曾來入夢 臨邛道士鴻都客 能以精誠致魂魄
He was moved by his majesty's love for her, and he worked tirelessly to search for her spirit. The Taoist split the air and rushed like lightning, and searched up high, down low and all in between.	為感君王輾轉思 遂教方士殷勤覓 排空馭氣奔如電 升天入地求之徧
He flew to the highest of Heaven and sank to the lowest of Hell, all he saw was an empty expanse without a trace of her in sight. He, however, heard that there was an immortal mountain beyond the Seas, located in some floating void too far for mortals to seek.	上窮碧落下黃泉 兩處茫茫皆不見 忽聞海上有仙山 山在虛無縹緲間
The small pagodas floated in the clouds, there were many divine maidens living in the rooms. There was one named Tai Zhen among them, her snow pale skin and her flower-like beauty seemed to be his target.	樓閣玲瓏五雲起 其中綽約多仙子 中有一人字太真 雪膚花貌參差是
In the west chamber of the golden palace he knocked on the door, asking the servant girl to report to her mistress. After she heard that he was sent by the Han Emperor, her spirit shook in the nine layers of screens.	金闕西廂叩玉扃 轉教小玉報雙成 聞道漢家天子使 九華帳裏夢魂驚
She got up and dressed while pushing her pillow aside, brushing aside the pearl screens and the silver door. Her hair was only half done as she just awoke, she stepped off with her disheveled flower coronet.	攬衣推枕起裴回 珠箔銀屏邐迤開 雲鬢半偏新睡覺 花冠不整下堂來
The mythic air fluttered her dress, as though she was performing again for his majesty. Her lonely face was still marred with tears, like a branch of pear blossoms battered by rain.	風吹仙袂飄颻舉 猶似霓裳羽衣舞 玉容寂寞淚闌干 梨花一枝春帶雨
She thanked his majesty for the unwavering love, but they no longer have another chance together. The love in Zhaoyang Palace was now severed, and all she could do was live in Penglai until the end of time.	含情凝睇謝君王 一別音容兩渺茫 昭陽殿裏恩愛絕 蓬萊宮中日月長
Looking down to see the place where mortals live, she couldn't see the walls of Changan, but only miles of smoke. She could only express her love with mementos from the past, she gave her hairpin and a box to the taoist to pass to his majesty.	回頭下望人寰處 不見長安見塵霧 唯將舊物表深情 鈿合金釵寄將去
She kept half of the hairpin and half of the box, splitting them up for each of them to remember. She wished their love was as unbreakable as the gold that formed them, so that even if they were split like heaven and earth, they would meet again.	釵留一股合一扇 釵擘黃金合分鈿 但教心似金鈿堅 天上人間會相見
Before the taoist left, she asked him to pass along her words; in the words there were vows only his majesty would know. "On the seventh of July in the Changsheng Palace, during midnight when there would be no one around to hear our words."	臨別殷勤重寄詞 詞中有誓兩心知 七月七日長生殿 夜半無人私語時
"In Heaven we'll be the halfwing birds flying through the clouds, in Earth we'll be the roots forever entwined. Even though Heaven and Earth will definitely end, our regret would continue forevermore."	在天願作比翼鳥 在地願為連理枝 天長地久有時盡 此恨綿綿無絕期

銅雀台賦: Rhapsody of The Bronze Sparrow Terrace

Rhapsody of The Bronze Sparrow Terrace	曹植 銅雀台賦
By: Cao Zhi	曹植
After Qing Ming I went out to have some fun, and I decided to ascend the many steps to entertain my soul.	從明後而嬉游兮 登層臺以娛情
I saw the great halls of the government opened, and watched the works of the benevolent and wise ruler.	見太府之廣開兮 觀聖德之所營
The gates were built high into the heavens, and the two auxiliary towers seemed to float in the sky.	建高門之嵯峨兮 浮雙闕乎太清
A terrace rises in the middle with grandeur, connected to the pagodas over the west of the city.	立中天之華觀兮 連飛閣乎西城
Near the long-flowing Zhang River, I saw the fruits in the gardens's nourishment.	臨漳水之長流兮 望園果之滋榮
Raise two terrace to the left and right, we have the Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix.	立雙台於左右兮 有玉龍與金鳳
I saw the two bridges that connect them east and west, arching over heaven itself. (Note 1)	連二橋於東西兮 若長空之蝦蠑
I looked down to see the majesty of the Imperial Capital, and looked up to see the clouds and mist float.	俯皇都之宏立兮 聼雲霞之浮動
I welcomed talented people gathering left and right, so they could help me accomplish my Grand Dream(Note 2)	欣群才知來萃兮 協飛熊之吉夢
I raised my head to feel the spring breeze, and heard the flocks of birds sing.	仰春風之和穆兮 聽百鳥之悲鳴
These walls in Heaven have now stood, thus pronouncing my family's ambition.	天雲垣其既立兮 家願得乎獲逞
Spreading benevolence to all under heaven, so they would all tribute back to me in the capital.	揚仁化於宇內兮 盡肅恭於上京
Only the Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin's state had such splendor (Note 3), but I am not satisfied with just their brilliance.	惟桓文之為盛兮 豈足方乎聖明
Their brilliance ended! How Beautiful! Spread our kindness to the ends of the earth!	休矣美矣 惠澤遠揚
Come everyone and assist us in our Imperial quest, and not scatter to the four directions to aid others!	翼佐我皇家兮 寧彼四方
We will share the entire world together, and our brilliance will match the Sun and the Moon!	同天地之規量兮 齊日月之煇光
Let us always be the noble rulers, and let our longevity match the East Emperor! (Note 4)	永貴尊而無極兮 等君壽於東皇
Fly our Dragon banners and wander the world, and circle the city in our royal carriage!	御龍旂以遨遊兮 迴鸞駕而周章
Our benevolence will reach all in the land, and they will all live long and prosper.	恩化及乎四海兮 嘉物阜而民康
Let this terrace stand forever, and let us revel in happiness always!	願斯臺之永固兮 樂終古而未央

Note 1: In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this phrase was modified to "Snatch the Two Qiao beauties of the Southeast, for my happiness day and night." （攬二喬于東南兮 樂朝夕之與共). Since the elder Qiao was Zhou Yu's ruler and friend Sun Jian's Wife and the younger Qiao was Zhou Yu's wife, this greatly incensed Zhou Yu to fight with Cao Cao rather than surrender. This worked because the Qiao of the name 喬 could be used in lieu for the character "Bridge" 橋 at that time.
Note 2: The first King of Zhou dreamed of being visited by a flying bear, and that was the omen of him becoming ruler of all of China.
Note 3: Both dukes were hegemons during the Spring and Autumn period, and lived with great prosperity over an empire of alliances.
Note 4: The East Emperor is known for his longevity.

陌上桑: Mulberry on the Path

Mulberry on the Path	陌上桑
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The sun rose from the southeast, and shone on the Qin Family House	日出東南隅 照我秦氏樓
The Qin family had a beautiful daughter, who called herself Luo Fu.	秦氏有好女 自言名羅敷
Luo Fu liked to collect silkworms and mulberries, and picked them at the south of the city.	羅敷善蠶桑 采桑城南隅
Green thread bound her basket together, laurel branches formed the handle.	青絲為籠繩 桂枝為籠鉤
Her hair was tied in a bun behind her head, and she wore bright pearls in her ear.	頭上倭墮髻 耳中明月珠
The Xiang silk formed her top, and the Zi Silk her skirt.	綠綺為下裙 紫綺為上襦
When an old man saw Luo Fu, he puts his stuff down and rubs his beard.	行者見羅敷 下擔捋髭鬚
When the youths saw Luo Fu, they remove their headbands and bow.	少年見羅敷 脫巾著帩頭
The farmers forgot their plows, and the gardeners forgot their hoes.	耕者忘其耕 鋤者忘其鋤
After, they blamed each other for being late, but for now, they just looked at Luo Fu.	來歸相喜怒 但坐觀羅敷
​	​
The Governor came from the south, his five-horse carriage all of a sudden stopped.	使君從南來 五馬立踟躕
The Governor sent his subordinate forth, to ask whose daughter it was?	使君遣吏往 問此誰家姝
"She is the Qin family's daughter, who named herself Luo Fu."	秦氏有好女 自名為羅敷
"How old is Luo Fu?"	羅敷年幾何
"Not yet twenty, but over fifteen."	二十尚未滿 十五頗有餘
The Governor asked Luo Fu, "Do you want to ride with me?"	使君謝羅敷 甯可共載不
Luo Fu steps forth and replied, "Your Grace is foolish!	羅敷前置辭 使君一何愚
You have your own wife, and I have my husband."	使君自有婦 羅敷自有夫
​	​
"In the East there's a thousand riders, my husband is foremost among them."	東方千餘騎 夫壻居上頭
"How do you recognize him? He rides the only white stallion."	何以識夫壻 白馬從驪駒
"Green Silk adorns the horse's tail, solid gold decorates the horse's head."	青絲繫馬尾 黃金絡馬頭
"The jeweled sword in his sash, is worth millions."	腰間鹿盧劍 可值千萬餘
"At fifteen he's a mere page, at twenty he's a court official."	十五府小史 二十朝大夫
"At thirty he has the emperor's privy, At forty he's trusted with a piece of His Majesty's land."	三十侍中郎 四十專城居
"His skin is white as snow, and he has a small stub of a beard."	為人潔白晳 鬑鬑頗有鬚
"His steps are graceful, and he walks slowly in his mansion."	盈盈公府步 冉冉府中趨
"The thousands of guests in the imperial court, all say my husband is special."	坐中數千人 皆言夫壻殊

採薇: Foraging the Vetches

Classic of Poetry - Lesser Court Odes - The Decade of Deer Call - Foraging the Vetches	詩經‧小雅‧鹿鳴之什‧採薇
​	​
Foraging the vetches and foraging the vetches, its sprouts sprang from the earth.	採薇採薇 薇亦作止
Returning triumphant and returning triumphant , but it never happens year after year.	曰歸曰歸 歲亦莫止
Having no wives and having no family, we take the war to the Xianyun tribes.	靡室靡家 玁狁之故
No time for leisure or family, we take the war to the Xianyun tribes.	不遑啟居 玁狁之故
​	​
Foraging the vetches and foraging the vetches, its sprouts are soft and juicy.	採薇採薇 薇亦柔止
Returning triumphant and returning triumphant , I worry about it day and night.	曰歸曰歸 心亦憂止
In my heart is endless worry, as I bore the hunger and thirst.	憂心烈烈 載飢載渴
Peace has not come to this garrison, I have no way to send word home.	我戍未定 靡使歸聘
​	​
Foraging the vetches and foraging the vetches, its sprouts are tough and withered.	採薇採薇 薇亦剛止
Returning triumphant and returning triumphant , It's already winter again.	曰歸曰歸 歲亦陽止
The King's wars never end, allowing us no peace to settle.	王事靡盬 不遑啟處
The pains of worry burn in my heart, as even now I can't return home.	憂心孔疚 我行不來
​	​
What blooms yonder? That kerria flower of fraternity.	彼爾維何 維常之華
What chariot passes the road near us? The rides of the noble commanders.	彼路斯何 君子之車
Our chariots began its journey after them, its four stalwart horses rushes forward.	戎車既駕 四牡業業
There's no time for us to rest, for there's many engagements per month.	豈敢定居 一月三捷
​	​
Guiding the four horses to our destination, their stalwart forms rage on.	駕彼四牡 四牡騤騤
The noble commanders are seated above, and the common footmen crowd below.	君子所依 小人所腓
The four horses are well-trained, elephant-bone bows and shark-skin quivers arm the commanders.	四牡翼翼 象弭魚服
How can we not be on alert? The Xianyun tribes assaults us with haste.	豈不日戒 玁狁孔棘
​	​
Back then when I left my home, lush willow fluttered with the wind.	昔我往矣 楊柳依依
Now that I have returned from war, bleak snow covered my homeland.	今我來思 雨雪霏霏
The road is deep in muck making travel dificult, hunger and thirst battered my form.	行道遲遲 載渴載飢
My heart is filled with sorrow, no one could possibly understand.	我心傷悲 莫知我哀

氓: The Vagabond

The Classic of Poetry - The Songs of Wei (衛) - The Vagabond	詩經 衛風 氓
​	​
The vagabond looked sincere as he held the cloth to trade for silk	氓之蚩蚩 抱布貿絲
He isn't looking for silk business, but he wooed me for marriage.	匪來貿絲 來即我謀
I accompanied him across the Qi River until Dun Qiu	送子涉淇 至于頓丘
It's not that I want to delay the date, but you didn't have any references.	匪我愆期 子無良媒
Please don't be angry, the date's set in the autumn.	將子無怒 秋以為期
​	​
I climbed up the broken walls, to look for the man.	乘彼垝垣 以望復關
I didn't see him, and tears dripped into my clothing.	不見復關 泣涕漣漣
After I saw him, I resumed my smile.	既見復關 載笑載言
After many rounds of divination, there was not a single bad omen.	爾卜爾筮 體無咎言
Send your carriage over, and I'll come with you.	以爾車來 以我賄遷
​	​
The Mulberry Leaves have not fallen, and it grows green still.	桑之未落 其葉沃若
Oh little bird, I'm telling you not to eat the mulberries.	于嗟鳩兮 無食桑葚
Oh foolish women, I'm telling you not to be infatuated with men.	于嗟女兮 無與士耽
When a man is infatuated, he can easily extract himself from it.	士之耽兮 猶可說也
When a woman is infatuated, there's no way out for her.	女之耽兮 不可說也
​	​
The Mulberry leaves fell, it became yellow and rotting.	桑之落矣 其黃而隕
Since the day I married you, we've lived in poverty for three years.	自我徂爾 三歲食貧
The Qi River rolls, and the water splashes into the cart and my clothes.	淇水湯湯 漸車帷裳
I never had any complaints, but you seem to have other thoughts.	女也不爽 士貳其行
You don't know what enough means, and took on two other women.	士也罔極 二三其德
​	​
For three years I've been your wife, I've worked night and Day	三歲為婦 靡室勞矣
I wake up early and sleep late, not a day had that changed.	夙興夜寐 靡有朝矣
Every little argument we have, you resorted to violence.	言既遂矣 至于暴矣
Our relations don't know what's going on, and just laughs at my misfortune.	兄弟不知 咥其笑矣
Now that I think about it, I'm overworking myself for nothing.	靜言思之 躬自悼矣
​	​
You said we'd grow old together, but growing old just gives me sorrow.	及爾偕老 老使我怨
Even the Qi River has banks, even the endless marsh has an edge.	淇則有岸 隰則有泮
When we were little, we played carelessly with each other.	緫角之宴 言笑晏晏
You swore to love me always, I didn't think you'd renege.	信誓旦旦 不思其反
But now I've thought it over, we are done.	反是不思 亦已焉哉

登徒子好色賦: Rhapsody on Dengtuzi's Lechery

Rhapsody on Dengtuzi's Lechery	登徒子好色賦
By: Song Yu	宋玉
​	​
Sir Dengtuzi is an attendant of the King of Chu.	大夫登徒子侍於楚王
One day he badmouthed Song Yu to the King,	短宋玉曰
"Song Yu has extremely good looks,	玉為人 體貌閑麗
he is extremely manipulative, and he is extremely lecherous.	口多微辭 又性好色
This kind of man is not something your majesty should allow into your palaces where your women reside."	願王勿與出入後宮
​	​
The King demanded a rebuttal from Song Yu.	王以登徒子之言問宋玉
​	​
Song Yu said,	玉曰
"Looks is a gift from heaven,	體貌閑麗 所受於天也
speechcraft is a gift from my teachers.	口多微辭 所學於師也
As for lechery, that is not my quality."	至於好色 臣無有也
​	​
The King said,	王曰
"Defend your claim about lechery,	子不好色 亦有說乎？
If you can, then you can stay. If you can't, then you must leave."	有說則止 無說則退
​	​
Song Yu then said,	玉曰
"The truly matchless women in China are all in our state of Chu.	天下之佳人莫若楚國
The truly matchless women in Chu are all from my hometown.	楚國之麗者莫若臣里
the truly matchless beauties of my hometown are all no match for the daughter of my east neighbor.	臣里之美者莫若臣東家之子
How perfect is she? If you add a bit of height she'd be too tall.	東家之子 增之一分則太長
If you take away a bit of height she'd be too short.	減之一分則太短
If you powder her skin she'd be too pale, if you put rouge on her she'd be too red.	著粉則太白 施朱則太赤
Her eyebrows are as lovely as the feathers of a bird, her skin is as white as the snow.	眉如翠羽 肌如白雪
Her form is lithe as though it has been wrapped in silk, her teeth are as perfect as seashells.	腰如束素 齒如含貝
With one smile she would daze all of Yangcheng and charm all of Xiacai.	嫣然一笑 惑陽城 迷下蔡
However, such a perfect beauty has been eying me from her walls for three years,	然此女登牆闚臣三年
but I have yet to agree to her entreaty.	至今未許也
Dentuzi, on the other hand, has a wife as ugly as sin itself.	登徒子則不然
Her hair is like a crow's nest and dirt covers her face. Her ears are shriveled, her lips flip outwards, and she has jagged teeth.	其妻蓬頭攣耳 齞脣歷齒
Her back is crooked and her waist is deformed. She walks with a limp and she's infested with warts and hemorrhoids.	旁行踽僂 又疥且痔
Even though she's this bad, Dengtuzi would still hit it and had five children with her.	登徒子悅之 使有五子
Your majesty, who, then, is more lecherous?"	王孰察之 誰為好色者矣
​	​
At that time, Sir Zhanghua of Qin was visiting Chu.	是時 秦章華大夫在側
Zhanghua immediately said to the King,	因進而稱曰
"Here we have Song Yu lavishing praises on his neighbor, and says that she is of utmost beauty, that's just utterly misguided.	今夫宋玉盛稱鄰之女 以為美色 愚亂之邪
Even though for following the ancient customs and conscience, I feel that I am not as adequate as he is,	臣自以為守德 謂不如彼矣
still I feel that of the random women in remote places of Chu like the neighbor's daughter,	且夫南楚窮巷之妾
it is not worthy of mention in the King's presence.	焉足為大王言乎
If, however, I indeed have no taste, then I will not speak anymore."	若臣之陋 目所曾睹者 未敢雲也
​	​
The King said,	王曰
"Try then."	試為寡人說之
​	​
Zhanghua said,	大夫曰
"Yes, my liege. "	唯唯
​	​
"When I was young I loved to travel.	臣少曾遠遊
I went through all nine prefectures and passed every city of worth.	周覽九土 足歷五都
After I left Xianyang, I went to Handan.	出咸陽 熙邯鄲
I stayed at the banks of the Zhen and the Wei rivers, between the states of Zheng and Wei.	從容鄭衛溱洧之間
At that time it was near the end of spring, with the bright sun of summer looming by.	是時向春之末 迎夏之陽
The birds all chirped, and the beauties all picked mulberries in the field.	鶬鶊喈喈 群女出桑
They were rare beauties, and their radiance shone all over	此郊之姝 華色含光
Their beauty is self-evident, not needing any further decoration. "	體美容冶 不待飾裝
​	​
"The way I saw them was just as the Classic of Poetry says,	臣觀其麗者 因稱詩曰
'Walk that wide path, holding my beloved's hand.'	遵大路兮攬子袪
It would be best to dedicate this to them.	贈以芳華辭甚妙
However, while they seemed to wish to come, they didn't,	於是處子怳若有望而不來
Even if they seemed like they had came, I couldn't see them.	忽若有來而不見
Spiritually close yet physically far away, everything about her was different.	意密體疏 俯仰異觀
With loning hidden in smiles, we stole glances at each other.	含喜微笑 竊視流眄
​	​
"She invoked the Classic of Poetry as well,	復稱詩曰
'Everything revived under the spring breeze, and its lushness covered the earth	寤春風兮發鮮榮
With a solemnness I received your graceful dedication,	絜齋俟兮惠音聲
but a gift like this is worse than death.'"	贈我如此兮不如無生
​	​
"She did not accept, and withdrew with her grace.	因遷延而辭避
It is probably because I never found the correct line, but instead relied on my spirit for victory.	蓋徒以微辭相感動 精神相依憑
With desire in my eyes, but propriety in my heart in the manners of the ancients,	目欲其顏 心顧其義
Reciting the wisdom of the ancient odes to remember the rites, the key of not overstepping its bounds	揚詩守禮 終不過差
makes this worth speaking of."	故足稱也
​	​
The King approved of his words.	於是楚王稱善
And thus, Song Yu did not need to leave the court.	宋玉遂不退